Dispensing closure



March 9, 1937. R. B. YVAITE ET AL DISPENSING CLOSURE Filed May 13, 1935 Patented 'Mar. 9, 1937 DISFENSING CLOSURE" Ralph B. Waite and Sheridan amine, Springvilie, N. Y.; said Ralph B. Waite assignor to said i Sheridan 0. Waite Application May 13, 1935, Serial No. 21,25e

. 15 Claims. (01. 221-60) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in dispensing closures.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a dispensing closure or receptacle wherein the closure member including a cap and slide valve structure carried thereby is adapted to be engaged with a normally closed or sealed receptacle with the valve device constructed and arranged for breaking or severing the seal to the receptacle and to regulatethe discharge of the contents of the receptacle therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing closure 01 the foregoing character and of the type especially designedwith a collapsible tube for the dispensing of toothpaste, creams and like materials with a tubular valve device slidably carried by an enclosing cap adapted for threaded engagement with the neck of the collapsible tube with a spur or cutter finger carried by the inner end of the valve device adapted to be moved by the cap into piercing engagement with a seal or closure in the tubeneck with the valve device thereafter rotated to cut an opening in the collapsible tube closure and through which opening the valve device is slidably movable by threaded movement of the cap onto the tube neck.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing closure of the foregoing character with the tubular valve having limited sliding movement in the cap within the range of a cooperating shoulder and abutment ring on the cap and tubular valve respectively with the tubular valve limited in its inward movement by engagement by the abutment ring with the outer end of the neck of the shoe.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood; the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a collapsible tube and cap with the valve device carried by the cap illustrated in elevation and showing the cap partially threaded onto the neck of the tube with the closure disk for the tube at the outer end of the tube neck;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing the tube cap fully screwed home and a circular opening cut in the tube closure by the valve device carried by the cap;

55 Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the valve devicein' its closed position relative to the cap carrying'the'*-- same with the valve device havingan abutment l ring frictionally engaged with the outer endof the, tube neck; l H

Figure 415 a fragmentary longitudinal sec -ftional view of another form of the invention wherein a tapered portion of the abutment'ring on the valvedevice engages a taperedseat neck of the tube; and I it Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of' another form of invention wherein the valve 'de-j' vice embodies a, spiral or screw portion to form an 7 opening in the closure disk of the'tube. L a

While the dispensing closure may be associated 1: 15 with receptacles of various types for-the dispellfil ing of different substances, the same isherein shown for purposes of illustration asassociated p with a collapsible tube IU of the type usually employed as a container for paste, creams andfthefio like and in which the tube embodiesa shouiderfljl carrying an externally threaded neck I241 The. T

collapsible tube I0 is normally sealed at thefneck portion thereof by a closure" disk '13 preferably arranged adjacent the outer endof'the neck; 5 though this closure disk l3 may positionedi at-any point desired relative to the Iengthormej a The dispensing closure embodies atulaularfcap having a tapered upper end II and a cylindrical g 30 lower end l5 that is internally threaded for en'-' agement with the threaded neck l2 of the col! lapsible tube Ill. The inner faceof the tubular cap is provided with an annular channel I8 terminating at one end at the adjacent end of the threaded portion of the cap while the, other end of the annular channel is spaced from the outer. end of the cap and defines an annular shoulder l1, and a tapering pocket Ila. a

A tubular valve device is carried by the cap and .40 includes a tubular stem l8 that isclosed at its H I outer end with the inner end thereof open' and; tapered as at IS ,with a cutting finger 20 projecting beyond the tapered end l9 and in the plane thereof. The outer end of the tubular stem. I8 frictionally moves in contact with the inner} cylindrical wall 2i in the outer end of the cap i outwardly of the annular channel IGandanan-Z that is received in the taperingpocket l-ia lower edge of the abutment ring 22 is of right angular formation to-provide a shoulder 2|, and a tapering annular shoulder 25 is formed on the tubular yalve stem [8 in juxtaposition to the abut- 5 ment ring 22., A lateral port 28 is provided in the tubular valve stem l8 adjacent its outer end for the-lateral discharge of contents of the collapsible tube l8 through the tubular valve stem.

The tubular cap is first placed in threaded en- 10 gagement with the neck l2 of the collapsible tube II) as shown in Figure 1 and the tubular cap is then further threaded onto the tube neck to cause the cutting finger to pierce the neck closure l8. The valve stem I8 may then be rotated to cut a 15 circular opening in the disk l3 which is turned back as at Ba and shown in Figure 2. Threaded movement of the tubular cap onto the neck H of the collapsible tube continues until the abutment shoulder 21 at the inner end of the annular chango nel 18 moves into engagement with the outer end of the neck l2 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and during this movement, the inner end of the tubular stem l8 moves through the opening formed in the closure disk l3 and in frictional engagement with the annular rib 12a. that remains in the tube neck when the closure disk I3 is cut away. The cutting of the closure disk l3 may also be accomplished by the rotation of the tubular cap in threaded engagement with the neck l2, the tubular stem I8 being wedgingly engaged with the cap by the engaging faces 23l| and 23a-l'la and forced downwardly through the neck I2 by the shoulder I! at the upper end of the annular channel l6 being engaged with the abutment 5 ring 22 of the tubular stem.

With the tubular stem IS in the position shown in Figure 3, the lateral discharge port 28 thereof is closed by the outer end of the tubular cap and the tapered shoulder 25 on the tubular stem bindingly engages the upper end of the neck I 2 to secure a tight engagement for retaining the tubular stem in its retracted position against accidental projection thereof. When it is desired to dispense the contents of the collapsible tube III, the outer knurled end l8a of the tubular stem is gripped by the user and the tubular stem is withdrawn outwardly of the cap to the position shown in Figure 2, with the lateral discharge port 26 disposed outwardly of the cap while the inner end of the tubular stem frictionally rides on the bead l2a that remains when the closure disk I3 is cut away. The bead l2a acts to prevent passage of the paste, cream or like contents of the tube into the-annular channel 16 and to direct the tube content into the inner open end of the tubu lar stem l8 for discharge through the lateral port 26. In the event that the contents of the collapsible tube pass between the rib l 2a and tubular stem into the annular channel, the abutment ring 22 wipes the wall of the channel, the shoulder 24 of the abutment ring acting to return any material therein to the collapsible tube while the rounded upper end of the ring 22 permits any of the material that may have passed upwardly through 4 the annular channel above the ring to escape downwardly when the ring is moved into engagement with the abutment shoulder I! as shown in Figure '2, and such material thereafter returned by the shoulder 24 to the collapsible tube.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the tubular stem l8 of the valve stem carries an abutment ring 22a and a tapered shoulder 25a. The neck 12 of the collapsible tube 10 as shown in Figure 4, has a closure disk l3 with a part thereof cut away as at Ba and the inner side of the upper 'end of the neck I2 is provided with a tapering or conical seat 38 to receive the tapered shoulder 25a on the tubular stem 18, this arrangement providing a tight fit between the tubular stem l8 and neck l2 of the collapsible tube to prevent the escape of contents of the tube, and to secure the stem [8 in closed position against accidental movement.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figure 5, the collapsible tube 3| carries a tubular neck 32 in which a tubular valve plug 83 is slidably mounted and said neck 82 at the lower end thereof carries a closure disk for the tube that is adapted to be cut away as at 34 by means of the cutter finger at the lower end of the threaded portion 38 of the tubular stem 83. The stem 83 and screw portion 28 are of tubular formation and the stem has a lateral port 31 that is normally closed by the neck 32 and adapted to be exposed by gripping the handle or head 38 of the tubular stem 33 to withdraw the latter and position the lateral port 81 outwardly of the outer end of the neck 82. A wedging interfitting connection is established between the outer end of the neck 32 and head 38 of the tubular stem 33 to retain the latter in the tubular neck against accidental displacement.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparent and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

We claim:-

1. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, means carried by the tube and cooperating with the cap and neck for limiting sliding movements of the tube relative to the cap, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk.

2. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, means carried bythe tube and cooperating with the cap and neck for limiting sliding movements of the tube relative to the cap, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the inner end of the valved tube being confined by the cap within the'cut-out portion of the closure disk and frictionally engaged with the wall of the cut-out portion when the cap is screwed home. v

3. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, an annular abutment bit the valved tube, an annular abutment 'onF-the cap and said tube abutment cooperating withthe cap abutment and end ofthe neck for limitingsliding movements of the valved tube relative to the cap.

. .4, In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a. dispensing valved tube slidable in the capand projecting through the outer end thereof, .a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted Y to move the tube when the latter is at its limit ofpoutward-movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting-finger into severing engagement withtheclosure disk, the inner end of the .valvedtube beingconfined by the cap within the cut-out, portion of the closure disk and fric- ,tionally engagedwith the wall of the cut-out portion when the cap is screwed home, an annular abutment onqthevalved tube, an annular abutment on the cap: and-,saidtube abutment cooperating with thecap'abutment and end of the .neck for,limiting,,, s liding movements of the v lve tu re at ve: o t p- :5. In-,a, dispensing, closu re, a container having .a neck; a; closure disk ,in the neck, a tubular cap--axially---;movable-on.+ the neck, a dispensing waived tubezslidflblerin-the cap and projecting ,through'theouter-end thereof, a cutting finger on =thegiinner end -of the valved tube and said cab adapted-t0. move the tube when the latter is at its limit ofzoutward movement relative to the cap for movinglthexcutting finger into severing engagement withjtheclosure disk, an annular abut- I ment on the valved tube, an annular abutment on the cap and said tube abutment cooperating with the cap abutment and end of the neck for limiting sliding movements of the valved tube relative to the cap, and said valved tube having a lateral port adjacent its outer end normally closed by the cap when the valved tube is retracted and exposed for lateral discharge when the valved tube is projected. I

6. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap valved tube being confined by the cap within the cut-out portion of the closure disk and frictionally engaged with the wall of the cut-out portion when the cap is screwed home, an annular abutment on the valved tube, an annular abutment on the cap and said tube abutment 00- operating with the cap abutment and end of the neck for limiting sliding movements of the valved tube relative to the cap, and said valved tubehaving a. lateral port adjacent its outer end normally closed by the cap when the valved tube is retractedand exposed for lateral discharge when the valved tube is projected.

7. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting. through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the'valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for mov-- ing the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the cap having an annular channel therein with an abutment shoulder at its outer end facing the outer end of the tube neck and an abutment ring on the valved tube adapted for engagement with the abutment shoulder and neck for limiting sliding movements of the, valved tube.

8. In a dispensing closure, a-container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap 'axiallymovable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement.

a 9. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the cap having an annular channel therein with an abutment shoulder at its outer end facing the outer end of the tube neck and an abutment ring on the valved tube adapted for engagement with the abutment shoulder and neck for limiting sliding outward movement of the valved tube, and a conical-shoulder on the valved tube beneath the abutment ring adapted to be moved into binding engagement with the upper end of the neck to prevent accidental projection of the valved tube.

10. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidablein the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the inner end of the valved tube being confined by the cap withinthe cut-out portion of the closure disk and frictionally engaged with the wall of the cut-out portion when the cap is screwed home, the'cap havingan annular channel therein with an abutment shoulder at its outer end facing the outer end of the tube neck and an abutment ring on the valved tube adapted for engagement with the abutment shoulder and neck for limiting outward movement of the valved tube, and a conical shoulder on the valved tube beneath the abutment ring adapted to be moved into binding engagement with the upper end of the neck to prevent accidental projection of the valved tube.

11.- In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable-in the cap and projecting through to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the cap having an annular channel therein with an abutment shoulder at its outer end facing the outer end oi. the tube neck and an abutment ring on the valved tube adapted for engagement with the abutment shoulder and neck for limiting sliding outward movement of the valved tube, a comical shoulder on the valved tube beneath the abutment ring and a conical seat at the outer end of the neck adapted to be binding'ly engaged by the conical shoulder to prevent accidental projection of the valved tube.

12. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a tubular cap axially movable on the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidable in the cap and projecting through the outer end thereof, a cutting finger on the inner end of the valved tube and said cap adapted to move the tube when the latter is at its limit of outward movement relative to the cap for moving the cutting finger into severing engagement with the closure disk, the inner end of the valved tube being confined by the cap within the cut-out portion of the closure disk and irictionally engaged with the wall of the cut-out portion when the cap is screwed home, the cap having an annular channel therein with an abutment shoulder at its outer end facing the outer end of the tube neck and an abutment ring on the valved tube adapted for engagement with the abutment shoulder and neck for limiting outward movement of the valved tube, a conical shoulder on the valved tube beneath the abutment ring and a conical seat at the outer end of the neck adapted to be bindingly engaged by the conical shoulder to prevent accidental projection of the valved tube.

13. m a dispensing closure, a container having a neck,'a closure disk in the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidably mounted in the neck, the inner end of the tube being threaded and a cutting finger at the inner end of the threaded portion, the threaded end and cutting finger being adapted to cut an opening in the closure disk and thread the valved tube inwardly through the closure disk opening.

14. In a dispensing closure, a container having a neck, a closure disk in the neck, a dispensing valved tube slidably mounted in the neck, the inner end of the tube being threaded and a cutting finger at the inner end 01' the threaded portion, the threaded end and cutting finger being adapted to cut an opening in the closure disk and thread the valved tube inwardly through the closure disk opening, and the valved tube having a lateral discharge port adjacent its outer end.

15. In a dispensing closure, a container having a walled discharge end, a closure disk therein, a dispensing valved tube having a cutting finger at its inner end slidably mounted in the walled discharge end and adapted to be moved into severing engagement with the closure disk, the tube having a valve opening therein adjacent its outer end and the tube portion surrounding the valve opening moving in wiping contact with the wall of the discharge end with the opening closed by said wall when the tube is at its limit oi! inward movement in the walled discharge end.

' RALPH B. WAITE.

SHERIDAN C. WAITE. 

